2192: Non-Muslims entering the mosque

What is the ruling on
non-Muslims entering the mosque?

Praise be to Allaah.

It is forbidden for Muslims to allow any kaafir to enter al-Masjid
al-Haraam [in Makkah] and the sacred areas [al-Haram] around it, because Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):“O you who believe! Verily, the Mushrikûn (polytheists) are Najasun (impure). So
let them not come near Al-Masjid Al-Harâm (at Makkah) after this year” [al-Tawbah
9:28].

With regard to other mosques, some fuqaha’ said that it is
permissible because there is nothing to indicate that it is not allowed; others said that
it is not permissible, by analogy with al-Masjid al-Haraam.

The correct view is that it is permissible if it serves the interests
of sharee’ah or meet a valid need, such as a person hearing something that may invite
him to enter Islam, or because he needs to drink water in the mosque, or the like. This is
because the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) tied up (his
prisoner) Thamaamah ibn Athaal al-Hanafi in the mosque before he became Muslim, and the
delegations of Thaqeef and the Christians of Najraan stayed in the mosque before they
became Muslim. There were many benefits offered by doing this: they could hear the
speeches and sermons of the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), see
people praying and reciting Qur’aan, and other benefits that are gained by those who
visit the mosque. (From Fatawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 6/276).

If some kuffaar ask to enter the mosque so that they
can see how Muslims pray, so long as they have nothing with them that could make the
mosque dirty, and there are no women among them who are dressed in a provocative fashion,
or any other reason not to let them in, then there is nothing wrong with allowing them to
enter and sit behind the Muslims so they can see how they pray. If we fear that there is
someone who may rebuke them (for not praying etc.) without realizing that they are not
Muslim, we should point this out to them.